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WHY NOT TAKE A SHOT?

2710
4

Teladoc
4 Min Read

We’ll bet that your excuses for skipping the seasonal flu shot sound a lot like
these:

* “I haven’t had time.”
* “I never get sick, so I’ll be safe.”
* “I don’t want to get a touch of the flu!”
* “Flu shots only work some of the time anyway.”

Sound familiar? Any physician will tell you: These excuses are bogus! For most
of us, there is nothing to lose—and everything to gain—from getting a yearly flu
shot. Even the healthiest among us can easily catch the virus.

“The annual flu vaccine is a very important protective measure against the
influenza virus—both for you and for those around you,” says David Harrison, MD,
medical director and VP of physician affairs at Teladoc Health.

Read on to learn about the most powerful flu protection from the fall though the
spring.

WHAT THE FLU CAN DO

The flu spreads easily, by coughing, sneezing, and close contact with someone
who may be infected. The flu virus can take over your whole body, putting
“regular life” on hold for up to a week or more. It’s not unusual for people to
suffer a number of intense symptoms including fever, chills, headache, body
aches, runny and stuffy nose, extreme tiredness, and even vomiting or diarrhea.
These symptoms send hundreds of thousands of people to the hospital each year.1

On the positive side, vaccines against the flu actually prevent millions of
illnesses and health provider visits each year: In the 2016-2017 season, flu
vaccination prevented about 5.3 million influenza illnesses, 2.6 million
influenza-related medical visits, and 85,000 influenza-related
hospitalizations.1

The question is: Which group of statistics do you want to be a part of?

HOW THE VACCINE WORKS

The seasonal vaccine works by boosting your immune response to create antibodies
that protect you from infection. Since flu viruses change, formulas differ from
year to year, meaning you have to get the shot annually for it to work. The
vaccine protects against a number of virus strains, but cannot cause you to get
the flu. While there’s still a chance of catching the flu after being
vaccinated, your chances are much lower, and the severity of your illness will
be much less.1

The vaccine is available as a shot—usually in the arm—or nasal spray, and is
recommended for everyone six months and older. Not only does getting the shot
protect you, it protects people who are vulnerable to serious illness like
babies and young kids, older folks, and anyone with a chronic health condition.1
So it’s good for your community, too.

Vaccines are not always recommended in some situations and for some health
conditions, so talk to your physician first before getting a flu shot.

WHEN AND WHERE TO GO

Flu season usually ramps up in October, and can last until May. The vaccine
takes about two weeks to generate the antibodies needed to protect against the
flu virus. So as early as September, go get your flu shot. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention says to get vaccinated by the end of October, if
possible.

It has never been more convenient to find flu shots: not only are they available
at doctors’ offices, you can find them at health clinics, pharmacies,
supermarkets, community centers, and even some schools. Often you won’t even
need an appointment. It’s usually covered by insurance, or available at low cost
if paying directly.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR FLU SEASON

Getting the seasonal vaccination is absolutely our best way to prevent the flu,
Dr. Harrison says. “Plus, if you do become infected, vaccination can decrease
the severity of symptoms and likelihood of influenza-related complications,” he
adds.

It’s true: The vaccination can reduce your chance of dying from the disease, and
lowers intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and length of stay for hospitalized
flu patients.2 So to stay healthy, priority number one is getting a flu shot
around summer’s official end. If you drop the ball until the end of the fall, no
problem. You can still get the shot in December or even January. A late shot is
better than no shot.

Be sure to keep over-the-counter pain medications like Ibuprofen (Advil) or
acetaminophen (Tylenol) and a decongestant on hand. You never know when
illness—of any kind—will strike. Have a working thermometer in the medicine
cabinet, as well as tissues throughout the house to combat congestion.

If the flu or other infection strikes your household, use a disinfectant cleaner
to keep the spread of germs under control. Also keep hand soap and sanitizer
stocked so you can clean hands frequently.

Update your medical history now and download the Teladoc app so you’re prepared
in case illness strikes. If you do get sick, you have 24/7 access to physicians
who are licensed in your state. The flu can be dangerous, especially for young
children, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic health conditions.
Make sure you take your best shot at a successful flu season: a vaccination. If
you need help, we’re here to hold your hand on your path to wellness.

References

1https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/keyfacts.htm
2https://www.cdc.gov/flu/spotlights/2016-2017/vaccine-reduces-severe-outcomes.htm

This portion of the Teladoc website occasionally offers health, fitness, and
nutritional information and is provided for educational purposes only. You
cannot rely on any information provided here as a substitute for or replacement
of professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Teladoc cannot assure
that the information contained on this site always includes the most recent
findings or developments with respect to the particular subject matter covered.

If you ever have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always
consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Do not disregard,
avoid, or delay obtaining medical or health-related advice from your healthcare
professional because of something you may have read on this site. The use of any
information provided on this site is solely at your own risk.

If you are in the United States and think you are having a medical or health
emergency, call your healthcare professional, or 911, immediately.

The COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly evolving. While we are continuously reviewing
and updating our content, some of the information in this article may not
reflect the most up-to-date scientific information. Please visit the online
resources provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the
World Health Organization (WHO) and your local public health department to stay
informed on the latest news, or reach out to Teladoc to speak with one of our
board-certified physicians.

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